Things to Do in Ama (海士町), Shimane: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Ama (海士町) in Shimane Prefecture (Chugoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Takuhi Yama (焼火山), Hoshinokami Shima (星神島), Futamata Shima (二股島) and served by Oki Airport (23.1 km) & Island Ferry Terminal via the regional hub at Matsue Station & Izumoshi Station (JR Yakumo Limited Express). Set at 169 m elevation (36.0856°N, 133.0995°E), Ama offers travelers a base for sampling regional Izumo soba (dark aromatic buckwheat served in three-tiered warigo lacquer boxes), Lake Shinji shijimi clam soup, Shimane wagyu cuisine and exploring neighboring Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) (7.9 km), Chibu (知夫村) (10.1 km), Okinoshima (隠岐の島町) (24.6 km), Sakaiminato (境港市) (62.6 km).

Ama is a town located on Nakanoshima, in Oki District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. Ama occupies all of the island of Nakanoshima, in the Oki Islands archipelago in the Sea of Japan, along with a number of offshore uninhabited islands and rocks. Much of the island is within the borders of Daisen-Oki National Park. Ama was part of the ancient Oki Province, and the island consisted of a single district, also called Ama, and three villages. Emperor Go-Toba, defeated in the Jōkyū War in 1221, was exiled to the Oki Islands, and lived in Ama for 19 years until his death in 1239. Within Shimane Prefecture, Ama (海士町) serves as a town (町) in Shimane Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Izumo Taisha (one of Japan's oldest and grandest Shinto shrines), original lakeside Matsue Castle, Adachi Museum of Art (Yasugi), UNESCO Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine (Oda), and Tsuwano.

What to See & Do in Ama (海士町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Ama (海士町) from Oki Airport (23.1 km) & Island Ferry Terminal at 169 m elevation (36.0856°N, 133.0995°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Ama):

• Takuhi Yama (焼火山) — local sightseeing landmark near Ama (海士町).
• Hoshinokami Shima (星神島) — local sightseeing landmark near Ama (海士町).
• Futamata Shima (二股島) — local sightseeing landmark near Ama (海士町).
• Nakano Shima (中ノ島) — local sightseeing landmark near Ama (海士町).
• Oki Shrine — local sightseeing landmark near Ama (海士町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Ama: Oki Airport (23.1 km) & Island Ferry Terminal (connecting to Matsue Station & Izumoshi Station (JR Yakumo Limited Express)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Ama

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Ama (海士町) and Oki Airport (23.1 km) & Island Ferry Terminal, consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Shimane Prefecture and Chugoku:

• Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) — 7.9 km from Ama (Shimane Prefecture)
• Chibu (知夫村) — 10.1 km from Ama (Shimane Prefecture)
• Okinoshima (隠岐の島町) — 24.6 km from Ama (Shimane Prefecture)
• Sakaiminato (境港市) — 62.6 km from Ama (Tottori Prefecture)
• Matsue (松江市) — 68.8 km from Ama (Shimane Prefecture)

Getting to Ama & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Ama (海士町) via Oki Airport (23.1 km) & Island Ferry Terminal: 2h 40m from Okayama Station (after Sanyo Shinkansen) on the JR Yakumo Limited Express to Matsue and Izumo, or 1h 20m flight from Tokyo Haneda to Izumo Airport (IZO). From Matsue Station & Izumoshi Station (JR Yakumo Limited Express), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Oki Airport (23.1 km) & Island Ferry Terminal to reach central Ama (36.0856°N, 133.0995°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Oki Airport (23.1 km) & Island Ferry Terminal: JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Matsue with Ama (海士町) and neighboring Nishinoshima, Chibu, Okinoshima. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Ama, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Ama and continuing toward Nishinoshima can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Ama: While Oki Airport (23.1 km) & Island Ferry Terminal anchors public transit for Ama, picking up a rental car at Matsue Station & Izumoshi Station (JR Yakumo Limited Express) makes it easy to link Takuhi Yama (焼火山) and Hoshinokami Shima (星神島) with nearby Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) (7.9 km), Chibu (知夫村) (10.1 km), Okinoshima (隠岐の島町) (24.6 km), Sakaiminato (境港市) (62.6 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Ama (海士町) & Shimane

Dining near Oki Airport (23.1 km) & Island Ferry Terminal and across Ama (海士町) highlights the regional food culture of Shimane Prefecture and Chugoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Ama:

• Local specialty & terroir of Ama (海士町): coastal fishing ports, marine aquaculture, and fresh seafood markets alongside regional agriculture, seasonal produce, and traditional local craftsmanship.
• Izumo soba (dark aromatic buckwheat served in three-tiered warigo lacquer boxes) — regional specialty enjoyed across Ama (海士町) and Shimane Prefecture.
• Lake Shinji shijimi clam soup — regional specialty enjoyed across Ama (海士町) and Shimane Prefecture.
• Shimane wagyu — regional specialty enjoyed across Ama (海士町) and Shimane Prefecture.
• Matsue wagashi sweets & matcha — regional specialty enjoyed across Ama (海士町) and Shimane Prefecture.

If you are dining in Ama (海士町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Oki Airport (23.1 km) & Island Ferry Terminal.

Where to Stay in Ama (海士町)

Visitors staying overnight in Ama (海士町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Oki Airport (23.1 km) & Island Ferry Terminal, or base at major rail hubs in Matsue (Matsue Station & Izumoshi Station (JR Yakumo Limited Express)) or neighboring Nishinoshima, Chibu, Okinoshima for quick train access into Ama. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Ama & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Ama (海士町, 169 m elevation at 36.0856°N, 133.0995°E): October–November (especially the lunar 10th month 'Kamiarizuki' when Japan's Shinto gods gather at Izumo Taisha); spring for Matsue Castle blossoms and Adachi Museum gardens.

Wider sightseeing across Shimane Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Takuhi Yama (焼火山) in Ama (海士町) includes: Izumo Taisha (one of Japan's oldest and grandest Shinto shrines), original lakeside Matsue Castle, Adachi Museum of Art (Yasugi), UNESCO Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine (Oda), and Tsuwano.

Practical Travel Tips for Ama (海士町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Ama: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Matsue Station & Izumoshi Station (JR Yakumo Limited Express) or Oki Airport (23.1 km) & Island Ferry Terminal for local bus schedules to Takuhi Yama (焼火山) and walking maps of Ama (海士町).
• Cash & ATMs in Ama: Convenience stores and major hotels around Oki Airport (23.1 km) & Island Ferry Terminal accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Takuhi Yama (焼火山) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Ama accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Ama: Around Oki Airport (23.1 km) & Island Ferry Terminal and neighboring Nishinoshima, Chibu, Okinoshima, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.